Arsenal achieved a huge historic victory against city rivals Chelsea, thrashing them emphatic 5-0 in a postponed match of the 29th round of the Premier League. In this way, the “gunners” consolidated their leadership position in England and now have 77 points and a decidedly better goal difference compared to second and third Liverpool and Manchester City. The Merseysiders are second with three points less and a game in hand, while City have 73 points but two games in hand over Arsenal.
The goal show in North London started as early as the fourth minute when Leandro Trosar left Djordje Petrovic unanswered with a powerful shot from the left on the diagonal. Chelsea recovered from the initial shock and played a little more skillfully, but this did not bring positives for the “blues”. The second half started fantastically for the Gunners, who scored four unanswered goals. Defender Ben White shocked the crowd and scored twice, as Kai Havertz added, to shape the final score in the north of the British capital.
In the next round, Arsenal have a tough “visit” to their big city rival Tottenham Hotspur, who aim for a Top 4 ranking. Chelsea remains ninth with 47 points, and in the next round there is a difficult visit of Aston Villa in Birmingham.
The “Emirates” match starts at 22:00 and you will be able to watch it live on DIEMA SPORT 2. The Gong.bg website, as always, will offer its readers text and rich multimedia coverage.
Arsenal are in contention for the title for the second time in a row, with team leading the provisional standings with 74 points. Liverpool have the same number, but the Merseysiders have a worse record on goal difference. The third Manchester City is one point less, but the “citizens” have a match deficit against the other two teams. Chelsea, on the other hand, is fighting for a higher ranking at the end of the season, and now the team occupies the ninth place with 47 points.
The game got off to a fantastic start for the hosts, who opened the scoring in the fourth minute. Arsenal played through the middle and Declan Rice took over and advanced. The midfielder passed to the left for Leandro Trosar, who from a small angle hit the goal of Djorje Petrovic – 1:0.
The goal brought peace to the Gunners, who took control of the match, while Chelsea defended too deep and did not trouble David Raya in any way in the first 15 minutes. In the 19th minute, Chelsea went to a fortuitous corner after a terrible back pass from Bukayo Saka. Mudrik crossed into the Gunners’ penalty area and Benoit Badiashil deflected to the back post, where Axel Disassi made a dangerous attack, but the defender was unable to get a shot in and level the scores for the Blues.
Four later, Nico Jackson drifted down the left flank and attempted a shot that ricocheted off Gabriel Magalles before the ball bounced off Raya’s right-hand post. Shortly after, the “gunners” played beautifully in front of the Chelsea box, and Saka shot with his left foot, but straight at Petrovic. In the 26th minute Chelsea made a bad mistake and Havertz sent a powerful shot but Petrovic saved. Another shot from Trosar followed, the ball bounced off the body of a visiting defender, but the Serbian guard again made a save.
After half an hour, Chelsea had their best chance of the game so far when Marc Cucurea shot, but Raya blocked the Spaniard’s effort. He released a parallel to Enzo Fernandez, who took a classy right-footed shot but sent the ball wide.
A few quieter minutes followed in north London, but Arsenal continued to be more active in possession. In the 48th minute, Chelsea pulled away after Enzo Fernandez made a nasty pass to a team-mate and Jodegard made a steal. The Norwegian combined on the right for Rice, who shot diagonally, but Djordje Petrovic saved the English midfielder’s shot. Three after that, Jodegard produced a magical pass behind the Chelsea defense for Havertz, who shot, but again Petrovic saved.
Arsenal’s effort brought the result in the 52nd minute. The home side took a short corner and Bukayo Saka headed it home for Declan Rice. His shot was blocked, but the ball went to Benjamin White, who from close range doubled the home team’s advantage – 2:0.
Five minutes later, the “gunners” scored a third goal in the match, and Kai Havertz was accurate. Gabriel Magallanes tangled with Noddy Madueke, but the Brazilian cleared initially, although some foul doubts remained. The ball went to the left to Trosar, who brought out Havertz beautifully and with a dagger shot it was past Petrovic for 3:0.
Things got even more complicated for Chelsea after Arsenal scored their fourth goal of the game in the 65th minute. Bukayo Saka controlled the right and entered the opponent’s penalty area. Then he passed to Kai Havetz, who sent the ball past Badiashil, and Petrovic had no way to reflect – 4:0 for the home team.
The nightmare for the west London Blues continued in full force as Arsenal grabbed a fourth goal 20 minutes from time. Martin Jodegaard made a through ball down the right for Ben White, who asked to find Kai Havertz or Leandro Trossard, but instead of an accurate pass, he sent the ball into Petrovic’s goal – 5-0 to Arsenal.
Arsenal came close to securing a record Premier League win against Chelsea in stoppage time, but Gabriel Martinelli’s shot was saved by Petrovic. It was also the final touch of the London derby between Arsenal and Chelsea.
LIVE / ARSENAL – CHELSEA 5:0
1:0 Trosar 4′, 2:0 White 52′, 3:0 Havertz 57′, 4:0 Havertz 65′, 5:0 White 70′
Referee: Simon Hooper
Stadium: “Emirates” (London, England)
Arsenal: Raya – White, Saliba, Gabriel, Tomiyasu, Partey, Jodegaard, Rice, Saka, Havertz, Trosar
Manager: Mikel Arteta
Chelsea: Petrovic – Gilchrist, Disassi, Badiashil, Cucurea, Caicedo, Enzo, Gallagher, Madueke, Jackson, Mudric
Manager: Mauricio Pochettino
Tags: Arsenal humiliated Chelsea towel yards Liverpool Man City Football World England
-
